Originally posted by lars.o So much good information. You guys are awesome!
Hit some reputations, eh?
Quote: I think I'll have a try with a bellows setup. I am also dabbling in B&W film photography and happen to have an enlarger with some Rodenstock optics (50mm APO, 80mm and 120mm). I'll let you know how it goes when I'm able to get my hands on a usable bellows thingy...
New and used bellows are fairly inexpensive on eBay. A few months ago I got an M42 Bellowscope with Steinheil Culminar 105/4.5 plus hood for US$41 shipped. Yes, I was lucky! New Chinese M42's go for around US$35 I think. Be aware that most enlarger lenses (EL's) are 39mm thread, but M39-M42 adapter rings are dirt cheap. I have bought those adapters in batches of 10 for US$15 shipped. Beware of the cheapest aluminum Ukranian adapters -- rough trash!
On most bellows, you will find that EL's longer than 80mm can reach infinity focus and so can be used for general non-macro photography. Your 80 and 50 will likely be for close work only, and the 50 APO should be pretty great REAL close! With longer EL's I often uses bellows AND cheap macro tubes. Your 120 may require a tube-boost to reach significant magnification.
Reversed camera lenses can also be used on bellows. Reversed Pentax-type camera primes will have a working distance of around 45.5mm, whereas an EL's minimum focus distance is its focal length. Also, projector lenses and magnifiers and eyeglass lenses and faceted crystals and almost any optical material that fits can be stuck into bellows for amazing (sometimes lousy!) effects.
Bellows are the greatest fun!